The traditional festival of ‘Hocktide’ will be taking place in Hungerford next Tuesday – 9 April. Dating back to the days of John of Gaunt (the manor was part of John of Gaunt’s estate back in the fourteenth century), it was a tradition that centred on the granting of grazing rights to commoners, and permission to fish in the River Kennet.
The contemporary ‘Hocktide’ involves the ‘Tutti-men’ – originally the Tithing officers – who were there to collect the tithe (effectively the rent) from tenants of the manorial estate. But on ‘Tutti Day – Hocktide – they collect fines, and if no fine is able to be paid, extract a kiss from the lady of the house (upstairs, via a ladder outside), a tradition which has evolved into the exchange of an orange. Or so they say.
So whether anyone can get the necessary permission on Tuesday to take the odd trout or whatever out of the Kennet, no idea, but Hocktide is here again, on Tuesday. The planned events are as follows:
- 9am Tithingmen Leave from the Town Hall steps and go up the High Street.
- 9.00am Hocktide Court held in the Town Hall. Observers are welcome.
- 10-am 12pm Hocktide Children’s activities in the United Reformed Church. All
welcome , children must be accompanied by an adult. No tickets are required
and it’s totally free of charge. - 1pm Hocktide lunch commences, Tithingmen attend and it includes speeches
and toasts. Ticketed event. - 7.30pm Hungerford Town Band Concert in the Town Hall. Free. All are very
welcome. - 9pm Tithingmen return to The Three Swans
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June is Marlborough’s ‘Festival Month’ – Elcot, The Parade, MantonFest……
